Brighton drink-driver, three times over the limit, swerves into student waiting at bus stop

• Drone footage shows damage after a student was hit by a drunk driver, while waiting for a bus.

A drink-driver who lost control of her vehicle and struck a university student waiting at a bus shelter, has been jailed.

Emma Roberts crashed a black Jaguar through a bus shelter on the A270 Lewes Road in Brighton, leaving a man in his 20s with life-threatening injuries.

The incident took place at 11.55pm on 6 September 2023 - Roberts had reached 74mph in a 30mph zone before the impact.

Roberts was arrested at the scene, where an evidential breath test found she was more than three times the alcohol limit while driving.

Roberts, 43, of Church Street, Reigate, earlier pleaded guilty to the charge in September 2023.

At Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, 10 October, Roberts was sentenced for causing serious injuries by dangerous driving.

She was sentenced to two years and four months in prison and was disqualified for three years and two months.

• Bodycam footage shows the moment Roberts arrested for causing a serious crash.

Police say drink-driving and speeding are some of the main factors in why people are killed or seriously injured on roads.

Speaking after the case, investigating officer Jade Smith from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "This again demonstrates the dangers of drink-driving.

"Roberts was incredibly fortunate that her reckless behaviour did not cause a fatality that night.

"She risked her own safety as well as the safety of the public.

"So we are pleased that a dangerous driver has been taken off our roads. We are determined to catch dangerous drivers, and this case should act as a warning to others about the dangers of drink driving and driving at excessive speed."

The court heard from the victim, who said the vehicle had swerved towards him, leaving him no time to react.

He described seeing Roberts' black Jaguar out of control on the A270, near the junction with Barcombe Road. She was seen swerving in the carriageway.

He described waking in hospital in “constant agony” after being in a coma and having to undergo multiple surgeries.

His injuries included a fractured skull, a bleed on the brain, a broken spine, and multiple internal injuries.

Members of the public helped the emergency services with the victim and with Roberts who was described as being intoxicated by the roadside.

In custody, Roberts tested positive for 121 micrograms (uhg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath. The legal limit is 35uhg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Speaking after the case, investigating officer Jade Smith from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This again demonstrates the dangers of drink-driving.

“Roberts was incredibly fortunate that her reckless behaviour did not cause a fatality that night.

“She risked her own safety as well as the safety of the public.

“So we are pleased that a dangerous driver has been taken off our roads. We are determined to catch dangerous drivers, and this case should act as a warning to others about the dangers of drink driving and driving at excessive speed.”

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